Ummm...I may have missed something, but the second XV-8 is not a legal suit option; except for a Forgeworld variant XV-8 cannot have markerlights, nevermind networked ones, and Holophoton systems are exclusive to XV-95

Pathfinders have a minimum unit size of 4

Riptides only can get Heavy Burst cannon or Ion accelerators. Which is better is a subject of long debate and really comes down to individual preference

The orca is no longer in production, so it is very hard to find the model nowadays (I want to get one or two for conversion into a "arsenal ship" platform.

If you're starting from scratch, you might want to look at Ebay. There are often some really good used army deals, which sometimes include Forgeworld models, and can be a relatively cheap way to start an army . They normally have been painted though, which can be good, if you don't like to paint and aren't set on a color scheme, but for most people means extra work cleaning and repainting the models (especially if the original quality is poor)

Ummm...I may have missed something, but the second XV-8 is not a legal suit option; except for a Forgeworld variant XV-8 cannot have markerlights, nevermind networked ones, and Holophoton systems are exclusive to XV-95

Pathfinders have a minimum unit size of 4

Riptides only can get Heavy Burst cannon or Ion accelerators. Which is better is a subject of long debate and really comes down to individual preference

The orca is no longer in production, so it is very hard to find the model nowadays (I want to get one or two for conversion into a "arsenal ship" platform.

If you're starting from scratch, you might want to look at Ebay. There are often some really good used army deals, which sometimes include Forgeworld models, and can be a relatively cheap way to start an army . They normally have been painted though, which can be good, if you don't like to paint and aren't set on a color scheme, but for most people means extra work cleaning and repainting the models (especially if the original quality is poor)

I did not know most of that, except for the eBay part, so I will now post a new list.

It really feels like you're taking systems and wargear at random. It's honestly better going the other way, taking too little as opposed to too much. Try to define a role for each unit you field, then only pick items that meet that role. It's all right to have only two guns and no other systems on a suit if you're surre it'll do the job - a good example is a double-fusion suit.

Honestly it's really hard to make an effective list if you haven't even got the codex (If going farsight you'll need both tau codex and farsighted supplement).

Get the codex somehow then read through it carefully with the main rule book so you know what everything does.

Other posters have said you want to stay away from Forgeworld models and I agree but you seem to still be putting them in there. Some opponents, tournaments and campaigns won't let you use such models so at first try to use the main list.

I've been playing various armies of 40k for 16 years and like what others have said the good plan is to start with 500pts then build up from there in increments.

500pts gets you a decent and timely game and not too many models to paint. I also think Tau have some nasty surprises at that level that other forces aren't able to counter and it's always encouraging to have a few wins when you are starting out. Really gets you in the mood

Im going to agree with most of the people here, start with the codex, digital if you are cheap like me ( ) And the getting started box. If you absolutely hate fire warriors, you can simply run farsight enclaves. For an additional point per model (Must take bonding ritual whenever possible , you can run crisis suits as troops and elites. Yeah. With the getting started, its 10 bucks more than a crisis box, and you can sell the Fws/Ethereal on Ebay and make some of your money back. I would avoid forge world for the time being, as the rules for said models are in a different book than the codex. There is also an app called Battlescribe, (Can I suggest that on here? ) But you most definitly need the codex, as unit sizes options and other things will all be needed.